penmanshipn.
/ˈpɛnmənʃɪp/, U.S. /ˈpɛnmənˌʃɪp/ 1. The art of using a pen; skill in writing or (occasionally) drawing; style of handwriting; calligraphy.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > writing > handwriting or style of > [noun]
handOE
scripturea1400
writing1440
written hand1520
hand write1568
handwriting1571
written hand1580
write1591
calligraphy1645
penmanship1695
hand of write1700
manuscript1771
autography1787
calography1803
calligraph1831
script1834
chirography1838
scription1846
hand lettering1864
back-hand1885
1695 J. Ayres (title) The tutor to penmanship, or the writing master..shewing all the variety of penmanship and clerkship as now practised in England.
1727 W. Mather Young Man's Compan. (ed. 13) 52 Learn the Command of Hand by frequent Use, Much Practice doth to Penmanship conduce.
1784 J. Flavel Let. 20 Apr. in Lancs. Gentleman (1992) xv. 359 If a writing assistant should offer, a specimen of his penmanship will be requisite.
1838 J. Grant Sketches London 9 So closely is the handwriting imitated, that..even the parties themselves can scarcely detect the imposture, in so far as mere penmanship is concerned.
1868 M. Pattison Suggestions Acad. Organisation v. 291 A clever youth..can discuss as many of the questions mooted by the paper, as three hours of rapid penmanship permit.
1918 W. Faulkner Let. 12 Sept. in Thinking of Home (1992) 101 I dont doubt you not being able to read this. I tried just then and couldnt, myself. What they need here is a penmanship class.
1948 J. Rosenberg Rembrandt (1980) ii. 102 The drawing is done in the broad and swift manner of Rembrandt's advanced penmanship.
1997 Icon Thoughtstyle Mag. Apr. 46/1 Historic signings are benchmarks of writing history and among the few times when penmanship is still required.
2. The action, process, or style of composing a document or other written work; literary composition, authorship. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > literature > art or occupation of writer or author > [noun]
bookcraftOE
fayingc1200
pena1387
composition1577
penwork1596
book writing1600
pencraft1600
composure1601
authoragea1628
literature1663
authorism1702
authorship1710
letters?1710
authoring1742
authorcraft1746
penwomanship1776
penmanship1793
authorhood1832
creative writing1837
pen-and-inkeryc1909
1793 J. Bentham Mem. & Corr. in Wks. (1843) X. 292 The penmanship of the statutes..has, every now and then, become the subject of a dissatisfaction.
1818 J. Bentham Church-of-Englandism 329 The men of law..by whom a part was taken in the penmanship of this Act.
1844 C. Dickens Let. 27 Jan. (1977) IV. 32 I..have been so much engaged in another kind of Penmanship, that I have not answered a letter this fortnight.
1978 P. Lovesey Waxwork 231 A report..would be polished into a model of penmanship, rational and cogent.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2005; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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n.1695